Macron gave the advice in Lagos while interacting with Young African Entrepreneurs hosted by the Tony Elumelu Foundation in Lagos.
He noted that Africa ‘s new generation had a lot of responsibility.
“If Africa does not succeed, France and Europe will never succeed. Let me say that whatever is good for Africa is good for France. Nobody is to decide for Africa. Africans are the ones to decide for
themselves. Africans are the ones to take responsibility.
“Africa is the one to decide for Africa, and to create her logo of entrepreneurship and culture,’’ he said.
Macron said that it was imperative for Africans to know what was good for their people and the type of innovation they would need. You should begin to innovate with African Start-ups,’’ he said.
President Macron said that it was important for Africans at home and in the Diaspora to contribute to the building of the continent to an enviable global standard.
He said that if the African diaspora in France and Europe could not join in building their continent, there was no way they could join in building France or Europe.
Mr Tony Elumelu, Founder of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, said that President Macron was visiting Nigeria and Africa to demonstrate the relevance of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.
Elumelu told the young Nigerian entrepreneurs that President Macron strongly believed in their entrepreneurial skills that could transform and build a great continent.
He also informed the President that the young entrepreneurs would need access and opportunities, adding that they were currently being faced with some challenges.
President Muhammadu Buhari and French President Emmanuel Macron witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements to the tune of $475 million loans in Abuja on Tuesday, after talks between Nigeria and France.
The agreements consisted of a $200 million loan facility grant to Lagos State, another $200 million loan for a land degradation project in Ogun State and $75 million for the execution of water projects in Kano State, facilitated by Agence Francaise Development.
Macron made history on Tuesday night, as the first President to visit the Afrika Shrine at Agidingbi, Ikeja accompanied by Lagos State Gov., Akinwunmi Ambode.
